Government Affairs & Advocacy Updates
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| ASSP Supports Strong Federal Funding for OSHA & NIOSH to Advance Worker Safety |
| ASSP, along with other leading safety and health organizations, has urged Congress to support strong FY 2026 funding for OSHA and NIOSH. Sustained investment helps maintain the research, compliance assistance and safety infrastructure needed to prevent injuries and fatalities. |
Advisory Group Updates
Our Advisory Group has direct input and communication with the Board of Directors. The group informs board decisions and communicates member needs, concerns and suggestions to the board.
Feb 2026 Government Affairs Updates
| February 2026 ASSP supports evidence-based policy decisions and engages with policymakers to ensure our members’ voices are part of important deliberations. ASSP also supports efforts to grow public awareness of environmental health and safety. |
| TOP STORIES |
| NIOSH Reinstatements: A Major Win for Worker Safety & Sustained Advocacy Following months of uncertainty, hundreds of previously laid-off NIOSH staff have had their positions reinstated — a major victory for worker safety and the occupational health research system. The outcome underscores the impact of sustained, coordinated advocacy across the safety and health community. |
| Congress Approves Full FY26 Funding for CSB Congress approved and the President signed full FY26 funding for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, preserving its ability to investigate serious chemical incidents and issue prevention recommendations. The outcome helps protect workers and communities and highlights the unique role CSB plays in prevention across high-hazard industries. |
| Navigating OSHA Interpretations OSHA letters of interpretation can significantly affect compliance expectations and enforcement posture. This article explains how interpretations are developed, what they mean for employers and how safety professionals can apply them effectively in practice. |
| OTHER NEWS |
| OSHA Extends Compliance Dates for Updated Hazard Communication Standard OSHA issued a final rule extending several compliance deadlines for the revised Hazard Communication Standard. The additional time allows employers to align labeling, safety data sheets and training requirements with the updated framework. |
| NIOSH Highlights Efforts to Strengthen Respirator Approvals & Combat Counterfeits NIOSH recently outlined steps to strengthen the respirator approval process and address counterfeit or misrepresented products in the marketplace. The update reinforces the importance of verifying NIOSH approval status as part of respiratory protection programs. |
| OSHA Clarifies Recordkeeping for Lithium-Ion Battery Injuries OSHA issued a Letter of Interpretation clarifying when injuries involving personal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are recordable under OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements. The guidance helps employers handle these emerging incidents consistently in their injury and illness logs. |
| STANDARDS UPDATES |
| Voluntary consensus standards provide industry-leading guidance on hazard prevention, risk management and best practices — especially in areas where regulations may not exist. Stay informed on the latest developments shaping the profession. ASSP Announces Strategic Framework to Drive Safety Beyond Compliance ASSP introduced a new strategic framework to help organizations put consensus safety standards into practice beyond compliance. A collaboration with Avetta shows how the approach can be applied through tools that benchmark safety culture and performance. |
| From Programs to Systems: Navigating the Path to Safety Excellence Moving from isolated safety programs to integrated management systems can strengthen long-term performance. This article outlines practical steps for building sustainable, system-driven safety cultures. |
| Leading the Charge: Why the Z16.1 Standard Is Key to Eliminating SIFs ANSI/ASSP Z16.1 provides a framework for measuring and analyzing safety performance beyond traditional lagging indicators. The standard helps organizations focus on meaningful data that drives prevention of serious injuries and fatalities. |
| Why ISO 45001 is the Global Game-Changer for Every Safety Professional ISO 45001 continues to shape how organizations approach occupational health and safety management worldwide. Learn why this standard remains central to building resilient, globally aligned safety systems. |